I have been wanting to write this post for a long time but never really got around to it, basically because my workspace was negatively influencing my productivity level and well, I am not a person to dwell on negativity.
My boyfriend jokes quite a bit about my “interior design qualities”, not a month can go by without me changing something around in the living room for example to try and create a nicer atmosphere. Lately I have been working a lot from that same living room mostly because I just hated sitting in my office. Needless to say my productivity level was not very optimum and it wasn´t untill last week that I got a sudden rush of energy at 1 am and felt I just had to do something about it.
So I got up out of bed and started clearing out the clutter in my office.
Paperwork that had been lying around for years gathering dust finally got sorted and as the hours went by and more space was becoming available, I started feeling really deliberated. It was almost as if this huge burden was being lifted off my shoulders and the more I started throwing out, the clearer some things became to me.
You see, I have been living in this house for about 3 years and a lot of stuff in my closets has not been touched at all during that whole period. Worse even, it had gone through 2 moves without being used and it was just taking up space. So last week the time had finally come to say goodbye to a lot of material stuff but in doing so, a lot of open issues finally found closure. The more material ended up in the garbage bags, the more space I received in return and the more at peace I was.
I cleaned out everything. Sorted through all the paperwork. Filed the things I still had to keep, neatly in folders. I cleaned the closets. Alphabatised all my books. Sorted out all my pictures and framed a few special ones to hang up on the walls. Cleared up my desk, dusted off all that was on there and created little work stations.
It actually took me around 12 hours to complete the whole “project” but once I was finished, I was absolutely thrilled to see the end result. Not just that, it actually feels like I have taken back complete control, not just clearing my workspace but also clearing my head at the same time.
Instead of always having a zillion things to do, having problems finishing things when I want them finished, my new office is now facilitating me to work on projects without having to spend a lot of time finding what I need or distracting me. So today I am sitting in my new office, feeling the new fresh energy in the air and I wondered about all those other bloggers and affiliate marketers arounds.
I bet the people that are bringing in huge paychecks every day. week and month have their stuff well organised, but how about you? Do you feel that the clutter around you is holding you back or do you always have everything filed away and cleared so you can work without disturbances?
Do you think your work area influences your productivity level?
I don’t think that work environment does all to much for me. I would like to work in a place like Starbucks if I could something relaxed and open in which I can get comfortable and work at my own pace would be nice, but I do alright working at home, or at work so it doesn’t make much of a difference to me.
Adam’s last blog post..There is No Such Thing As A Bad Visitor
hey Adam
good to see you around here and thanks for the comment, I do appreciate that
I definately notice the influence, especially after spending the whole day in my “new and fresh” office, big change!
I totally agree and know the feeling that you’re talking about. In fact, I spent Saturday sorting through paperwork and reclaiming some of my space. AHHHH!
I find that my desk area and work space greatly influences me, not only my productivity but my moods and stress level.
And my kids notice the same thing. The last time my house was out of control my 15 year old daughter said straight out that it stresses her out, which doesn’t surprise me.
I wrote an article called Messy House/Messy Mind looking at that issue.
http://queenofkaos.com/home/clutter_control/messy-house-messy-mind/
For years I didn’t believe it and even found it insulting when people would say that, but now I find after all these years, it’s true.
At least for me.
Jan – queenofkaos’s last blog post..What to Do When You Can’t Get Your Focus
Yes, I’d say my work space totally affects my creativity. More than anything, it affects my sense of well being, and I do my best work when I’m feeling good… so if I’m undertaking an important project I like to clear the clutter – both outer in the form of tdying up, and inner – in the form of getting mundane tasks out of the way… so that I can give my best focus.
Sometimes though, I think you just have to power on and not let your surroundings affect your concentration.
Hi Jan!
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I absolutely agree with you from what you can gather from my post, so I am definitely going over to visit your blog and read the post you mentioned.
true, MWYS, there are times that circumstances just aren´t perfect and if you let them bring you down, you can´t get anything done!
It affects me big time, especially since my desk and bed are currently in the same room. This leaves me with personal and business messes at the same time. LOL
I do notice a big difference in my work after I do a good clean job on the room.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Did You Know You Can Refund Domain Names?
Enviornment is a huge factor. i am totally incapable of working in a cluttered room. The other issue is chairs: If they aren’t really comfortable then I never manage to get any work done.
Ray Johnson @ Make money on the internet’s last blog post..Back 2 Basics: Let’s Build Your Business Starting Now (Stage 4)
It’s true, that work space influences your productivity. I have been working at home office for last 6 months and to be honest – the productivity there is lower than in regular office. Sometimes I just go to some cafeteria to work and productivity increases instantly.
Martin’s last blog post..Christmas Time at the IAEA